Skip to content
Insporta Book
en
EnglishРусскийDeutschEspañolEestiSuomiItalianoFrançaisPolski日本語한국어中文
FootballCricketFutsalTriathlonTennisGolfFigure SkatingBasketballMethodologyWhy it worksTake a test

Tennis · Level 1: Beginner · Sub-level 1.4

Meet the Strokes

4 tests · 40 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

What each stroke is called and what it is for: groundstrokes, volleys, finesse and defensive shots, the serve and the smash.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1GroundstrokesTake a test

  1. Groundstrokes are the forehand and backhand hit after the ball has bounced.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  2. Most rallies are a series of forehands and backhands from near the baseline.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  3. A forehand is hit on the same side as the racket hand.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  4. Many players hold the racket with both hands on the backhand for extra stability.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  5. A slice cuts down the back of the ball to give it backspin, so it stays low.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  6. Topspin pulls the ball down into the court and kicks it up off the bounce.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  7. Groundstrokes are the baseline game, played from the back of the court.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  8. A stroke starts from a ready position, swings back, meets the ball and finishes.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  9. A slice has backspin, a flat shot has little spin and topspin has forward spin.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  10. The ball has already landed once, so player 1 is hitting a groundstroke.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · applied

Test 2Volleys and the netTake a test

  1. A volley is struck in the air without letting the ball bounce.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  2. Standing close lets a player cut the ball off before it bounces.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  3. A half-volley is struck just after the bounce, when the ball is rising off the ground.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  4. Close to the net there is little time, so the swing is short and firm.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  5. Taking the ball early takes time away from the opponent.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  6. A drop volley is hit gently so the ball lands short and barely bounces.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  7. A pair at the net can cover the court and finish many points with volleys.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  8. The player sets up, takes the racket back a little, punches through and then recovers.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  9. A volley is hit before the bounce, a half-volley just after it, and a groundstroke later, once the ball has bounced and risen to a comfortable height.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  10. Striking the ball before the bounce near the net is a volley.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · applied

Test 3Lobs, drop shots and passing shotsTake a test

  1. A lob lifts the ball high so it clears an opponent who is close to the net.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  2. A drop shot is hit gently so it lands short and the opponent must run forward.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  3. A passing shot sends the ball beyond a net player's reach.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  4. A short ball drags a deep opponent out of position.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  5. A defensive lob sends the ball up high so the hitter can get back in position.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  6. A slice stays low and slows the ball, so it breaks the opponent's rhythm.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  7. An angled shot drags the opponent off the court.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  8. A lob lands deep, a rally groundstroke in the mid-court and a drop shot short.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  9. The shot is disguised, hit softly, lands short and pulls the opponent in.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · applied

  10. A high, arching shot over a net player is a lob.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · applied

Test 4The serve and the smashTake a test

  1. A smash is struck from above with a serve-like swing to finish a short lob.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  2. A short or weak lob gives a net player the chance to smash it.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  3. A smash is hit above the head with a motion close to the serve.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  4. The server tosses the ball up with one hand and strikes it with the racket.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  5. A kick serve uses topspin to dip into the box and bounce up.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  6. A flat serve goes straight and fast, with little spin.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  7. The racket keeps moving after the ball leaves it, completing the swing.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  8. A serve starts from a stance, goes through the toss and swing, and ends with the follow-through.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · recall

  9. A player sees the lob, shuffles back, lines up under the ball and hits.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · applied

  10. Hitting down on a high ball above the head is a smash.

    Source: ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names) · applied

Sources

ITF Play and Stay and coach-education materials, ITF Coaching & Sport Science Review, federation curricula, general tennis references; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered ITF rules belong to the Rules category.

  • ITF coach-education materials, general coaching reference (stroke names)40